Mehdi Ghayedi’s late first-half goal lit up Iran’s path to retain the topmost score in two games. The UAE couldn’t outmatch Iran’s sturdy defence, leading to a 1-0 notch in favour of Iran, during the Group A matches of the World Cup Asian Qualifiers on Tuesday. Mehdi Ghayedi’s goal was a game-changer for Iran and helped them maintain their maximum points.
For the UAE line-up, Paulo Bento preferred no change, while in a contrast, Amir Ghalenoei brought in four fresh faces – Saleh Hardani, Saeid Ezatolahi, Hossein Kanani, and Alireza Jahanbakhsh in Iran’s squad.
The game’s first 25 minutes were quiet, with both UAE’s goalie, Khalid Eisa, and Iran’s Alireza Beiranvand getting through untested. Just past the half-hour mark, Iran’s Mehdi Taremi made a shoddy shot that seemed to be saved by Mehdi Ghayedi, only to be dropped offside. But, as if the half was destined to end in a draw, Ghayedi came to the rescue.
In the third minute of overtime, he snatched the ball from Khaled Aldhanhani and then smashed a shot past Eisa at the near post, putting Iran in the lead. Barely into the second half’s third minute, Iran seemed ready to double their score. Ghayedi’s corner kick found its way to Jahanbakhsh. His twirling header required Eisa’s intervention.
In the 68th minute of the match, Iran came close to doubling their lead. From the right flank, Saleh Hardani delivered a precise cross to Mehdi Taremi, who managed to outjump two UAE defenders to head the ball towards the goal. Despite Taremi’s strong effort and positioning, the header narrowly missed the target and sailed past the goalpost. The close call kept the score at 1-0, maintaining Iran’s slender advantage and ensuring the game remained intensely competitive.
Ten minutes later, there was another chance for Iran when Sardar Azmoun played the ball to Taremi. Even though he only faced Eisa, the Inter Milan player, he miscalculated the ball’s path. When the UAE saw a late chance to draw even after referee Kim Jong-hyeok identified a handball by Hardani, the outlook brightened. But, a VAR review made the decision turn in the opposite direction.
Thus, the UAE’s chance for a comeback was extinguished. The next Fifa World Cup targets eight primary participant slots for Asia. This will be a 48-team event. Eighteen teams have been sectioned into three groups of six each for the third phase of the Asian qualifiers. The UAE is teamed with Qatar, Iran, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and North Korea in Group A.
In Group B, South Korea, Iraq, Jordan, Oman, Palestine, and Kuwait will duke it out, while Group C contends with Australia, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, China, and Indonesia. Each group’s top two score a straight ticket to the World Cup.
Those who end up third and fourth, have another shot in another set of qualifiers, with six teams. Divided into two groups of three, the winning team from each group gets to pack their bags for the World Cup. The second-best from each group don’t lose hope. They have a playoff match.
The winner of the Asian playoff will secure a spot in a final tournament featuring five additional teams. The stakes are high, as this playoff will determine who earns the last two available spots in the World Cup. The UAE, reflecting on their lone World Cup appearance in 1990, is eager to make a return to the prestigious event. Their last World Cup participation remains a significant milestone, and this current playoff offers a critical chance to reclaim a place on the global stage.